Method of assembling a development cartridge, development cartridge, and process cartridge

Abstract

The application provides an assembling method of a developing box, the developing box comprising a developing housing and a developing roller rotatably installed to the developing housing, the developing housing having a partition plate and a developer cavity capable of containing a developer, the developing roller and the developer cavity being separated by the partition plate; the partition plate is formed with a communication port communicating an inside and an outside of the developer cavity, and the developer can be supplied to the developing roller through the communication port; the partition plate further has an inner side wall facing the developer cavity; the developing box further comprises a sealing member for sealing the communication port; the assembling method of the developing box comprises the following steps: a step of preparing the developing housing; a step of installing the sealing member; and a step of installing the developing roller; wherein the sealing member is installed by being combined with the inner side wall; the above scheme can avoid the situation that the sealing member cannot be pulled out or the developer is easily taken out, thereby reducing waste, saving resources, and enabling users to have a better experience.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of electronic imaging equipment, and more particularly to a processing cartridge that is detachably installed in an electronic imaging equipment, and a method for assembling a developing cartridge and a developing cartridge located in the processing cartridge. Background Technology

[0002] A processing cartridge that can be detachably installed in an electronic imaging device (hereinafter referred to as "the device") includes a developing cartridge and a photosensitive drum cartridge connected together. The developing cartridge includes a developing housing for containing developer and a developing roller rotatably mounted on the developing housing. The photosensitive drum cartridge includes a photosensitive housing and a photosensitive drum rotatably mounted on the photosensitive housing. The developing roller is used to face the photosensitive drum and supplies developer to the photosensitive drum when it is close to the photosensitive drum, so as to develop the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum.

[0003] The processing cartridge also includes a sealing strip for sealing the developing cartridge. The sealing strip is used to prevent developer leakage and needs to be removed by the user before the developing cartridge is used.

[0004] There is a developing cartridge in which a sealing strip is welded to the side facing the developing roller. When the developing cartridge is tested, the remaining developer falls onto the surface of the sealing strip. When the sealing strip is torn off, the remaining developer is wrapped by the sealing strip and carried out or accumulates at the outlet of the sealing strip, making it impossible to pull the sealing strip, thus affecting the use of the developing cartridge. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This invention provides a method for assembling a developer cartridge, a developer cartridge, and a processing cartridge to solve the technical problems of developer being easily carried out or the sealing strip being unable to be pulled. The specific solution is as follows:

[0006] A method for assembling a developer cartridge, the developer cartridge comprising a developer housing and a developer roller rotatably mounted to the developer housing, the developer housing having a partition and a developer chamber for containing developer, the developer roller and the developer chamber being separated by the partition; the partition forming a communication port connecting the interior and exterior of the developer chamber, through which developer can be supplied to the developer roller; the partition also having an inner sidewall facing the developer chamber, the developer cartridge further comprising a seal for sealing the communication port, the method comprising the following steps: preparing the developer housing; installing the seal; installing the developer roller; wherein the seal is installed by engaging with the inner sidewall.

[0007] The sealing element includes a sealing part, a movable part, and a handle part. In the step of installing the sealing element, the sealing part is installed by welding or bonding it to the inner sidewall.

[0008] The developing housing also includes an opening at one end in the X direction, and the movable part is folded from one end of the sealing part to allow the hand-held part to pass through the opening from the developer chamber, thus exposing the hand-held part to the outside.

[0009] The present invention also provides a developing cartridge, the developing cartridge comprising a developing housing and a developing roller rotatably mounted on the developing housing, the developing housing having a partition and a developing chamber for containing developing agent, the developing roller and the developing chamber being separated by the partition; the partition forming a communication port connecting the interior and exterior of the developing chamber, through which developing agent can be supplied to the developing roller; the partition also having an inner sidewall facing the developing chamber, and the developing cartridge further comprising a seal that engages with the inner sidewall and is used to seal the communication port.

[0010] The developing housing also includes an opening at one end in the X direction, through which the seal is exposed outward. In the Z direction, the opening is located in the -Z direction of the inner sidewall. The opening has a first end and a second end opposite to each other, and the distance between the first end and the inner sidewall is greater than 1 mm.

[0011] The seal includes a sealing part, a movable part, and a handle part. The sealing part is used to engage with the inner wall. One end of the movable part is connected to one end of the sealing part, and the handle part is connected to the other end of the movable part. The handle part is exposed outward from the opening.

[0012] The sealing part is integrally formed with the movable part, or the movable part is integrally formed with the hand-held part, or the sealing part, the movable part, and the hand-held part are integrally formed.

[0013] In the X direction, the size of the sealing part is larger than the size of the communication opening; in the Y direction, the size of the sealing part is larger than the size of the communication opening.

[0014] The sealing part is welded or bonded to the inner wall.

[0015] The present invention also provides a processing cartridge, the processing cartridge including a photosensitive drum cartridge and a developing cartridge as described above, wherein the photosensitive drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are combined with each other.

[0016] The processing box includes at least one of a powder inlet and a developer outlet. The powder inlet is used to add developer to the developer chamber, and the developer outlet is used to empty the waste developer that has been cleaned. This invention employs a technical solution where a seal is welded or bonded to the inner wall facing the developer chamber, with the distance between the first end of the opening and the inner wall greater than 1 mm. This avoids situations where the seal cannot be pulled out or the developer is easily carried out, thereby reducing waste, saving resources, and providing users with a better user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the processing box involved in the present invention.

[0018] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of some components of the processing box involved in the present invention.

[0019] Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the hidden portion of the developing cartridge involved in this invention.

[0020] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the sealing element involved in the present invention.

[0021] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the sealing element combined with the first housing when the developing cartridge of the present invention is projected along the Z direction from the -Z direction to the +Z direction after the second housing is hidden.

[0022] Figure 7A This is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge of the present invention, after being cut along a plane perpendicular to the Y direction, and viewed from the +Y direction to the -Y direction.

[0023] Figure 7B yes Figure 7A A magnified schematic diagram of part A in the middle.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge of the present invention, after being cut along a plane perpendicular to the X direction, and viewed from the +X direction to the -X direction. Detailed Implementation

[0025] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the processing box involved in the present invention; Figure 2 This is an exploded view of some components of the processing box involved in the present invention.

[0026] like Figure 1 , Figure 2As shown, the processing cartridge 100 includes a photosensitive drum cartridge 1 and a developing cartridge 2 joined together. Optionally, the photosensitive drum cartridge 1 and the developing cartridge 2 are integrally formed, or the photosensitive drum cartridge 1 and the developing cartridge 2 are detachably connected, or the photosensitive drum cartridge 1 is integrated into the device (printer), and the developing cartridge 2 is detachably mounted to the photosensitive drum cartridge 2 or the device. Further, the developing cartridge 2 includes a developing housing 20 for containing developer and a developing roller 21 rotatably mounted on the developing housing 20. The photosensitive drum cartridge 1 includes a photosensitive housing 10 and a photosensitive drum 11 rotatably mounted on the photosensitive housing 10. The developing housing 20 has a developer chamber 201 (as shown in Figure 4), which can be used to contain developer. The developing roller 21 is arranged opposite to the photosensitive drum 11. When the developing roller 21 and the photosensitive drum 11 approach each other, the developing roller 21 supplies developer to the surface of the photosensitive drum 11, developing the electrostatic latent image on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11. After the processing cartridge 100 finishes its operation, the waste developer remaining on the surface of the photosensitive drum 11 is cleaned, and the photosensitive housing 10 can be used to contain the cleaned waste developer. The processing cartridge 100 also includes a conductive part 31 and a driving part 32. The conductive part 31 is used to receive power provided by the device and transmit it to the developing roller 21 and / or the photosensitive drum 11, and the driving part 32 is used to receive driving force provided by the device and drive the photosensitive drum 11 and / or the developing roller 21 to rotate.

[0027] Furthermore, the developing housing 20 includes a first housing 22 and a second housing 23 joined together, which can be formed integrally or separately. Optionally, the developing housing 20 is provided with a powder filling port 24, which can be used to directly add developer to the developer chamber 201. The photosensitive housing 10 is provided with a developer discharge port 13, which can be used to directly empty the waste developer to be cleaned, so that the processing cartridge 100 can continue to be used.

[0028] For a more accurate description, the present invention defines the direction from the second housing 23 to the first housing 22 as the +Z direction, the direction from the first housing 22 to the second housing 23 as the -Z direction, the direction from the developing cartridge 2 to the photosensitive drum cartridge 1 as the +Y direction, the direction from the photosensitive drum cartridge 1 to the developing cartridge 2 as the -Y direction, the direction from the conductive part 31 to the driving part 32 as the +X direction, and the direction from the driving part 32 to the conductive part 31 as the -X direction. In summary, the +Z direction and the -Z direction can be collectively referred to as the Z direction, the +Y direction and the -Y direction as the Y direction, and the +X direction and the -X direction as the X direction. The Z direction, the Y direction, and the X direction intersect each other.

[0029] The processing cartridge 100 also includes a first cover 41 and a second cover 42 located at both ends of the developing housing 20 in the X direction, the first cover 41 and the second cover 42 being used to movably connect the developing cartridge 2 to the photosensitive drum cartridge 1.

[0030] Figure 3 and Figure 4 This is a perspective view of the processing box with its hidden components as per the present invention.

[0031] like Figure 3 , Figure 4 As shown, the developing housing 20 is provided with a partition 26, which is used to separate the developer chamber 201 from the developing roller 21. Figure 2 , Figure 3 It is understood that the partition 26 is disposed opposite to the developing roller 21. The partition 26 forms a connecting port 27 that connects the inside and outside of the developer chamber 201. Similarly, the connecting port 27 is opposite to the developing roller 21. The direction of the connecting port 27 facing the developing roller 21 is the outside, and the direction of the connecting port 27 facing the developer chamber 201 is the inside. In the Z direction, the developing roller 21 is located in the +Z direction of the connecting port 27. The developer stored in the developer chamber 201 can be supplied to the developing roller 21 through the connecting port 27. The partition 26 also has an inner sidewall 261 and an outer sidewall 262 arranged opposite to each other. Specifically, the inner sidewall 261 faces the developer chamber 201, and the outer sidewall 262 faces the developing roller 21.

[0032] The processing cartridge 100 also includes a seal 5, which can be used to seal the connection port 27 during transportation or storage to prevent developer leakage, thus avoiding environmental pollution and waste. Further, the connection port 27 is a narrow channel extending along the X and Y directions, with a dimension of LO in the X direction and a dimension of W0 in the Y direction. The developing housing 20 also has a groove 25 through which the seal 5 is exposed. Specifically, the groove 25 has openings 251 extending in the Y and Z directions (e.g., ...). Figure 7B and Figure 8 As shown, the opening 251 is located at one end of the developing housing 20 in the X direction. The seal 5 can be exposed to the outside through the opening 251. The size of the opening 251 in the Y direction is larger than the size of the opening 251 in the Z direction. Along the Z direction, the opening 251 has a first end 2511 and a second end 2512 opposite each other. In the Z direction, the first end 2511 is located in the +Z direction of the second end 2512.

[0033] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the sealing element involved in the present invention; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the sealing element and the first housing when the developing cartridge of the present invention is projected along the Z direction from the -Z direction to the +Z direction after the second housing is hidden. Figure 7A This is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge after the hidden part of the present invention has been cut along a plane perpendicular to the Y direction and viewed from the +Y direction to the -Y direction along the Y direction. Figure 7B yes Figure 7A A magnified view of a portion A1 in the middle; Figure 8This is a cross-sectional view of the developing cartridge of the present invention, after being cut along a plane perpendicular to the X direction, and viewed from the +X direction to the -X direction.

[0034] like Figure 5 , Figure 6 As shown, in this embodiment, the sealing member 5 is a removable part provided in the developing cartridge 2. The sealing member 5 can be combined with the inner wall 261 of the connecting port 27 facing the developer chamber 201 by means of welding, bonding or other methods to seal the connecting port 27. Specifically, the seal 5 includes a sealing portion 51, a movable portion 52, and a handle portion 53. The sealing portion 51 is used to engage with the inner sidewall 261 to cover and seal the communication opening 27. One end of the movable portion 52 is connected to one end of the sealing portion 51, and the handle portion 53 is connected to the other end of the movable portion 52. In some embodiments, the sealing portion 51 and the movable portion 52 are integrally formed; specifically, the movable portion 52 is folded from one end of the sealing portion 51. Optionally, the movable portion 52 and the handle portion 53 are integrally formed; specifically, the handle portion 53 extends from the other end of the movable portion 52. Optionally, the sealing portion 51, the movable portion 52, and the handle portion 53 are integrally formed. When the sealing portion 51 and the movable portion 52 are integrally formed, or the movable portion 52 and the handle portion 53 are integrally formed, or the sealing portion 51, the movable portion 52, and the handle portion 53 are integrally formed, the process can be simplified and production can be facilitated. The dimension of the sealing portion 51 in the X direction is L1, and the dimension of the sealing portion 51 in the Y direction is W1.

[0035] Figure 6 The projection relationship between the seal 5 and the connecting port 27 along the Z direction is shown. In this embodiment, L1>L0, W1>W0, as shown. Figure 6 As shown, the connection port 27 is completely covered by the sealing part 51 of the sealant 5, so that the connection port 27 can be completely sealed to prevent developer leakage.

[0036] Furthermore, such as Figure 6 , Figure 7A , Figure 7BAs shown, the sealing part 51 extends along the X direction and is welded or bonded to the inner sidewall 261 so that the communication port 27 is completely covered / sealed. Along the X direction, the movable part 52 is folded at one end of the sealing part 51. Along the Z direction, at least a portion of the movable part 52 overlaps with the sealing part 51. The handle part 53 is exposed outward through the opening 251 provided in the slot part 25. Before the processing box 100 is used, along the X direction, by pulling the handle part 53 in a direction away from the processing box 100 and moving the movable part 52, the sealing part 51 is disengaged from the inner sidewall 261 until the seal 5 is completely removed from the outside of the processing box 100. In this embodiment, the seal 5 is welded or bonded to the inner wall 261 facing the developer chamber 201. When the developer added during testing in the processing cartridge 100 is not completely used, the remaining developer will fall onto the surface of the seal 5 facing the developing roller 21. When the seal 5 is removed away from the processing cartridge 100, the remaining developer will fall directly into the developer chamber 201 as the seal 5 detaches from the inner wall 261. Therefore, the remaining developer can also be utilized, which reduces waste and saves resources. At the same time, the remaining developer will not be carried out by the seal 5, which can also reduce pollution to the operating environment and the natural environment, and provide users with a better user experience.

[0037] See Figure 6 , Figure 7A , Figure 7B Seal 5 can be installed according to the following steps:

[0038] The step of installing the sealing part 51 is to combine the sealing part 51 with the inner sidewall 261 to seal the communication port 27.

[0039] The step of folding the movable part 52 is to fold the movable part 52 from one end of the sealing part 51;

[0040] The step of exposing the handle 53 involves passing the handle 53 through the opening 251 so that the handle 53 is exposed to the outside.

[0041] In the step of installing the sealing part 51, the sealing part 51 is installed by welding or bonding it to the inner wall 261; in the step of folding the movable part 52, the movable part 52 is folded from one end of the sealing part 51; in the step of exposing the handle part 53, the handle part 53 is exposed by passing it through the opening 251 from the developer chamber 201.

[0042] Furthermore, such as Figure 8As shown, in the Z direction, the opening 251 is located in the -Z direction of the inner sidewall 261. In this embodiment, the distance h between the first end 2511 of the opening 251 and the inner sidewall 261 in the Z direction is greater than 1 mm. Since the seal 5 faces the developer chamber 201 where the developer is stored, if the developer in the developer chamber 201 is statically charged, it will be attracted to the movable part 52 or the sealing part 51. When the handle 53 is pulled, on the one hand, the gap between the opening 251 and the inner sidewall 261 allows the attracted and accumulated developer to fall back into the developer chamber 201. On the other hand, when the processing cartridge 100 is tested, a certain amount of developer needs to be added to the side where the developing roller 21 is located. Compared with the seal 5 being set on the outer sidewall 262 facing the developing roller 21, when the seal 5 is set on the inner sidewall 261 facing the developer chamber 201, less developer is attracted due to static electricity. Therefore, this embodiment can reduce the amount of developer carried out by the seal 5 or prevent the developer from being carried out by the seal 5. It can also prevent the developer from being wrapped by the seal 5, which would prevent the seal 5 from being pulled out. Additionally, when the developer chamber 201 is filled with developer and presses against the seal 5, due to the gap between the opening 251 and the inner wall 261, when the handle 53 is pulled, the seal 5 near the opening 251 will squeeze the developer into the developer chamber 201 along the direction of arrow I (as shown in arrow I). Figure 7B As shown in the figure, the seal 5 will not be completely blocked, thus avoiding the situation where the seal 5 cannot be pulled.

[0043] In other embodiments, the seal 5 is also suitable for a developing cartridge that is separately formed from the photosensitive drum cartridge, the developing cartridge being detachably mounted to the photosensitive drum cartridge or an electronic imaging device.

[0044] The assembly method of the developing cartridge involved in this invention includes the following steps:

[0045] Steps for preparing the developing shell;

[0046] Steps for installing seals;

[0047] Steps for installing the developing roller.

[0048] The present invention employs a technical solution in which the sealing element is welded or bonded to the inner wall facing the developer chamber, and the distance between the first end of the opening and the inner wall is greater than 1mm. This can avoid the situation where the sealing element cannot be pulled out or the developer is easily carried out, thereby reducing waste, saving resources, and also providing users with a better user experience.

Claims

1. A method of assembling a developing cartridge for use in combination with a photosensitive drum cartridge and detachably mountable to an apparatus or the photosensitive drum cartridge, the photosensitive drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum, the developing cartridge including a developing housing having a partition and a developer cavity capable of containing a developer, and a developing roller rotatably mounted to the developing housing, the developing roller and the developer cavity being partitioned by the partition, the developing roller being for supplying the developer to the photosensitive drum; the partition being formed with a communication port communicating an inside of the developer cavity and an outside thereof, the developing roller being located in a +Z direction of the communication port, the communication port being a long and narrow passage extending in an X direction and a Y direction, the developer being supplyable to the developing roller through the communication port; the partition further having an inner side wall facing the developer cavity, the developing cartridge further including a seal member for sealing the communication port; the developing cartridge including a conductive portion for receiving electric power supplied from the apparatus and delivering to the developing roller and / or the photosensitive drum, and a driving portion for receiving driving force supplied from the apparatus and delivering to the developing roller and / or the photosensitive drum; a direction of the conductive portion pointing to the driving portion being a +X direction, a direction of the driving portion pointing to the conductive portion being a -X direction, a direction of the developing cartridge pointing to the photosensitive drum cartridge being a +Y direction, a direction of the photosensitive drum cartridge pointing to the developing cartridge being a -Y direction, the +X direction and the -X direction being collectively referred to as an X direction, the +Y direction and the -Y direction being collectively referred to as a Y direction, the Z direction, the X direction, and the Y direction intersecting with each other two by two, characterized in that the method of assembling the developing cartridge includes the following steps: a step of preparing the developing housing; a step of mounting the seal member; a step of mounting the developing roller; wherein the seal member is mounted by being combined with the inner side wall; the developing housing further including an opening at one end in the X direction, the seal member being exposed outward from the developer cavity through the opening, the opening being located in a -Z direction of the inner side wall in the Z direction. the seal member including a sealing portion, a movable portion, and a hand-holding portion, the sealing portion being mounted by being welded or adhered to the inner side wall in the step of mounting the seal member. the movable portion being folded from one end of the sealing portion, the hand-holding portion being exposed outward from the developer cavity through the opening. 4.A developing cartridge for use in combination with a photosensitive drum cartridge and detachably mountable to an apparatus or the photosensitive drum cartridge, the photosensitive drum cartridge including a photosensitive drum, the developing cartridge including a developing housing having a partition and a developer cavity capable of containing a developer, and a developing roller rotatably mounted to the developing housing, the developing roller and the developer cavity being partitioned by the partition, the developing roller being for supplying the developer to the photosensitive drum; the partition being formed with a communication port communicating an inside of the developer cavity and an outside thereof, the developing roller being located in a +Z direction of the communication port, the communication port being a long and narrow passage extending in an X direction and a Y direction, the developer being supplyable to the developing roller through the communication port; the partition further having an inner side wall facing the developer cavity. wherein ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises: ​ 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the method further comprises: ​ ​ ​ ​ The developing cartridge comprises a conductive part and a driving part, the conductive part is used to receive power provided by the device and transmit to the developing roller and / or the photosensitive drum, the driving part is used to receive driving force provided by the device and transmit to the developing roller and / or the photosensitive drum; wherein The conductive part points to the driving part in the +X direction, the driving part points to the conductive part in the -X direction, the developing cartridge points to the photosensitive drum cartridge in the +Y direction, the photosensitive drum cartridge points to the developing cartridge in the -Y direction, the +X direction and the -X direction are collectively referred to as the X direction, the +Y direction and the -Y direction are collectively referred to as the Y direction, the Z direction, the X direction and the Y direction are orthogonal to each other, characterized in that, The developing cartridge further comprises a sealing member combined with the inner side wall and used to seal the communication port, the developing housing further comprises an opening located at one end of the X direction, the sealing member is exposed outward from the developing agent cavity through the opening, in the Z direction, the opening is located at the -Z direction of the inner side wall; The sealing member comprises a sealing part, a movable part and a handheld part, the sealing part is used to be combined with the inner side wall, one end of the movable part is connected with one end of the sealing part, the handheld part is connected with the other end of the movable part, the handheld part is exposed outward from the opening; The sealing part is integrally formed with the movable part, or the movable part is integrally formed with the handheld part, or the sealing part, the movable part and the handheld part are integrally formed. In the X direction, the size of the sealing part is greater than the size of the communication port, in the Y direction, the size of the sealing part is greater than the size of the communication port.

5. The process cartridge according to claim 4, wherein, The opening has opposite first and second ends, the distance between the first end and the inner side wall is greater than 1mm.

6. The process cartridge of claim 4 wherein, The sealing part is welded or bonded to the inner side wall.

7. A process cartridge, characterized by, The processing cartridge comprises the photosensitive drum cartridge and the developing cartridge as claimed in any one of claims 4-6, the photosensitive drum cartridge and the developing cartridge are combined with each other.

8. The process cartridge of claim 7 wherein, The processing cartridge comprises at least one of a powder adding port and a developing agent discharge port, the powder adding port is used to add developing agent to the developing agent cavity, the developing agent discharge port is used to empty the cleaned waste developing agent. The processing cartridge comprises at least one of a powder adding port and a developing agent discharge port, the powder adding port is used to add developing agent to the developing agent cavity, the developing agent discharge port is used to empty the cleaned waste developing agent.

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